Hood latch



March fs; 1927 A 1,620,414 c. VANDERLIP Hoon L'TQH l Filed May 245y 1926 f A Patented, Mal'. 8,

UNITED STATES LoUIs c. VANDERLIP, or ELKHART, INDIANA.

'Hoon LATCH.

' v Application med my 24, 1926. l seria'i No. 111,137. i

This invention relates to automobiles, and especially to the hood latch therefor.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simplied hood latch inwhich the resilient and extensible body-element thereof exerts both a downward pressure or pull and also a lat/eral inward thrust on the hood to retain the hood in position and to prevent rattlingthereof. l v

Another object of the invention is` to provide a simple and cheap form of ,automobile hoodlatch in which the body element thereof is composed of a at piece of steel rovided with a resilient loo or return end to enable extensibility oft e body ele.-

ment. i

Other objects of the invention aremen-` tioned and described herein.

The preferred embodiment ofthe inven- .tion is illustrated in the, accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevau 'tion of the improved hood latch in its operative position, a fragment'of 'the hood being illustrated in connection therewith; Fig.12 is a rearelevation thereof and a hood e fragment; Fig. 3 illustrates two Aviews of the latch element alone at `right angles` 'to each other and Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of the left hand view of Fig. 3. Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the'several. views on the drawing.

In automobile hood latch design it is essential 'that the clamping device exert both a downward ull and a lateral thrust on the hood in order to effect the maximum efficiency in hood retention and rattle lprevention. Itis also desirable to effect the maximum simplicity of ldesign and construction 4-.0 in a hood latch, as in other mechanical devices, and in that respect I have produced a device which is extremely simple and very cheap, as well as very durable and rugged.`

A reference lto the details of the drawing l445 indicates that the numeral. 1 represents a part of an automobile frame, longitudinally of which an abutment element 2 is arranged and rigid therewith. Numeral Sindicatos a fragment of one side of the automobile engine hood, well known in the art, which is vertically disposed and adapted to engage the abutment 2 when pressed linwardly by the clamping element or mean hereinafter described. `A latch keeper 4 of the usual,

or anysuitable, type may be rigidly secured to the hood exterior at any suitable distance above the frame section 1. I

The clamping means of my improvedhood latch may consist of the fiat steel body element 5 provided with' a spring loop or lateral return bend 6, preferably integral therewith, and intermediate thezextremities thereof, and the latch element if rigidly secured to 'the upper end of said body element 1n any sultable manner, as'by rivets 8. The latch element 7 may be provided with the hook 9, adapted to engage the keeper 4, and'.

the handle 10 to enable the operator to exend ghe body 5v by resiliently stretching the oop The lower end of the latch body 5 may be prov1ded' with an eye 11 for hinge connection with the pin 12 mounted in a forked bracket 13, the latter being rigidly secured tothe base element 1 in any suitable man- A rubber buffer 14 may be secured to the face yof the loopsection 6 of the latch body. to prevent abrasion of the paint on the hood exterior'and to eliminate contact of metal on metal.

It will be obvious 'that my improved hood clamp provides a simple unitary clamping .element composed of the longitudinally extensiblebody 5 andthe resilient side engaging loop 6,'whereby a downward pull is exerted on the hood 3 together with a simultaneous inward lateral thrust thereon, thereby efi'ectually preventing both upward and lateral movement of the hood.` 1

I claim: d'-

1.1In an automobile hood clamp, a unitary hold-down clamp and a side engaging element, the latter constituting resilient means to enable` longitudinal extensibility of therformer.

2. In an automobile hood-clamp, .9 unitary hold-down clamp and a resilient laterally pro]ecting side engaging clamp rigid therewith, said hold-down clamp including a separate element latch membe -3. In an automobile hood-clamp, the comblnation of a flat metal .body element provided with a resilient lateral bend adapted to` effect lateral pressure on the hood, said bend constituting resilient means to enable longitudinal extensibility ofthe clamp body,

and a hook and handle rigidly connected -with the upper end of said body element.

4. In an automobile hood clamp, a unitaryl hold-down clamp and a resilientlaterally projecting side engaging vclamp vintegral therewith. 5. In an au'toinobile-'hoodblamp, a unitary hold-down clamp and a side engaging element, the latter constituting resilient means to enablelongitudinal extensibility of the former, and a rubber buffer mounted upon ,said side engaging element.' i0

6. In an automobile hood Clamp, the oombinationof a combined hold-down clamp and a side engaging-elemen'tl the latter constituting resilient means to enable longitudinal extensibility of the former, 'a hook and handle element carried wat. the top end of said-clamp, and a hinge eye `carried at the bottom thereof. v

. 7. In an automobile hoody clamp, the combination of a fiat metal body element provided with an integral lateral resilient loop intermediate its extremities t0 enable longitudinal extensibility of'said body element, a hook andl handle element carried at the top of said body element, 'and an integralA 

